Carton handling machine

ABSTRACT

A carton handling machine particularly suited for use in erecting cartons from collapsed, articulated blanks and presenting the erected carton to a loading station. The machine is characterized by a carton erecting station at which cartons are erected from collapsed, articulated blanks, a carton loading station having a fixed loading plane within which the opening of each erected carton is presented for carton packing purposes, and a carton advancing unit for simultaneously ejecting packed cartons from the carton loading station and advancing thereto cartons erected at the erecting station. The features of the invention include a readily dajustable support structure for accommodating cartons of various practical dimensions, without requiring an alteration of the position of the loading station, and a fluidic control circuit for dictating the sequence of the carton handling operations performed by the machine.

United States Patent [191 Derderian et a1.

[ CARTON HANDLING MACHINE [75] Inventors: Edward J. Derderian, Fresno;

John P. McGlashan, Reedy, both of Calif.

[52] US. Cl. 53/186, 53/374, 53/381 R [51] Int. Cl..... B65b 3/02, B65b 43/28, 1365b 43/39 [58] Field of Search 53/186, 381. R, 382,

. 53/374; 93/53 R, 53 SD [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,216,175 11/1965 Stohlquist 53/186 3,435,738 4/1969 Berney 93/53 SD 3,420,036 1/1969 Hutchinson... 53/186 3,452,653 7/1969 Bemey 53/382 X 3,442,063 5/1969 Martin 53/186 X 3,412,652 11/1968 Mclntyre 53/186 X 2,887,021 5/1959 Duffy et al. 93 53 R 3,537,361 11/1970 Derderian et a1 53/186 X 3,343,335 9/1967 Pearson 53/186 3,323,283 6/1967 Johnson, Jr. et a1... 53/186 3,426,506 2/1969 Jernigan 53/186 2,831,300 4/1958 Schroeder 53/136 X [1 ,753,333 Aug. 21, 1973 3,134,309 5/1964 Weber et a1. 53/186 X 3,299,611 1/1967 Hendrick et a1. 53/186 3,373,665 2/1968 Bivans 53/186 X 3,241,292 3/1966 Bemey 53/382 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-Horace M. Culver Att0rney1-1uebner & Worrel [57] ABSTRACT A carton handling machine particularly suited for use in erecting cartons from collapsed, articulated blanks various practical dimensions, without requiring an alteration of the position of the loading station, and a fluidic control circuit for dictating the sequence of the carton handling operations performed by the machine.

4 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures iii l M9 PAIENIEUMIBZI ma 15,753,333

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SHEET 6 0F 7 EDWAR-OHJ. DERDER/AN JOHN P MC GLASHAN INVENTOR: M )M A rrole/vsr;

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SIEET 7 0F 7 EDWARD J. DERDE/P/A/V JOHN MC GLASHAN INVENTORY MvfM A TTOIP/VEVS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to carton handling machines and more particularly to animproved carton handling machine for erecting open-top cartons from collapsed, articulated blanks and presenting the erected cartons in a contents-receiving disposition at a carton loading station.

The prior art is replete with carton handling machines which function to extract collapsed, articulated blanks from magazines and erect the extracted blanks into open-top cartons for delivery to a loading station.

Normally, carton handling machines of the aforementioned type are provided as an integral component of a total packaging machine. This, of course, readily permits the structure 'of the carton erecting machine to be perfectly matched withthe structure employed in performing packing operationsat the machine's loading station. Consequently, only minimal machine adjustments need be provided for since the carton erecting structure employed is utilized in erecting cartons designed to receive a particular type or class of types of contents. Where a packaging machine is emloyed in packing preformed cartons of variable depth dimension, it is customary to provide the packaging machine with elevating structure which permitS the packing head or similar mechanism to be elevated with respect to the plane of the structure employed in supporting open-top cartons at the loading station.

For reasons which should readily be apparent, matching of carton erecting structure with the structure of packing machines becomes somewhat more difficult where the carton erecting structure is provided as a separate entity having utility with numerous types of carton packing machines.

One of the problems encountered in providing a carton handling machine as an auxiliary unit for erecting and presenting open-top cartons of varying dimensions to packaging machines having a packing arbor disposed in fixed planes centers around the inherent difficulty in achieving adjustment while the machine is on-line in a high-speed packing operation. When employing ma-' chines of the type heretofore available, accommodating changes in carton dimensions resulted in significant down-time. Since down-time is economically undesirable due to the loss of the function of an on-line ma-' chine, it is imperative that such time be eliminated or at least minimized.

Another problem often present in operating on-line packaging machines results from an inherent inability to readily trouble-shoot and repair complex electrical systems of a type normally employed in machine control circuits.

Furthermore, in instances where a carton handling use of the machines having a substantial number of electrical circuit components severely is inhibited.

Due to the fact that many machines currently employed in packaging operations are designed for highspeed operations. Machines utilized in feeding erected cartons also must be designed for high-speed operations. Hence, difficulty often is encountered in providing carton handling machines having adequate capacities. This is particularly true where the machines are of an adjustable nature and are employed in erecting and delivering open-top cartons to fixed packing arbors.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide an improved and simplified high-speed carton handling machine.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a readily adjustable, high-speed carton handling machine having utility in erecting collapsed, articulated carton blanks into erected open-top cartons.

Another object is to provide a simplified carton handling machine having a simplified fluidic control circuit.

Another object is to provide an improved carton handling machine which is particularly suited for erecting collapsed, articulated blanks of varying dimensions into open-top cartons and presenting the cartons to a loading station having a fixed loading plane.

Another object is to provide in a carton handling machine a unique conveying structure for transferring cartons between a carton erecting station and a carton loading station.

Another object is to provide in a carton handling machine for erecting and presenting open-top containers to a carton packing machine a unique high-speed conveyor including a rectilinearly reciprocating transfer ram having an upstanding foot for engaging at a carton erecting station a carton blank in its expanded configuration and another foot for engaging a packed carton at a carton loading station so that the packed carton is removed from the packing station as the expanded carton blank is advanced from an erecting station to the packing station.

These and other objects and advantages of the instant invention are achieved through a simplified and readily adjustable carton handling machine having particular utility as an auxiliary unit for erecting and presenting open-top cartons at the carton loading stations adjacent to carton packing arbors of carton packing machines employed in packing products of a diverse nature within cartons having variable dimensions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned top plan view of a carton handling machine which embodies the principles of the instant invention, illustrating collapsed carton blanks stacked within a magazine, an expanded blank supported by a picker head at a carton erecting station, and an erected open-top carton supported at a carton loading station.

FIG. 2 is a horizontally sectioned plan view of the carton handling machine illustrated in FIG. 1, more clearly illustrating structure employed in erecting carton blanks completing the blanks into erected open-top cartons and supporting erected open-top cartons at the loading station.

FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned elevational view of the machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a striker employed in striking the extended top leading flap of each carton blank as it is advanced through the carton erecting station toward the carton loading station.

FIG. 5 is a fragmented elevational view of one type of an actuator employed in the machine of the instant invention.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation of a pivotally supported upstanding foot employed in transferring packed cartons from the carton loading station.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of structure employed in completing erection of open-top cartons and transferring the cartons to the carton loading station.

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned end view taken generally along line 8--8 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a sectioned elevational view taken generally along line 9-9 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned end view of the blank magazine, taken generally along line l0--l0 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 1 is a composite view depicting a sequence for carton blanks, as they are extracted from the magazine, expanded to a tubular configuration, and subsequently erected into an open-top container for presentation to a packing arbor by the machine of the instant invennon.

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of a fluidic control circuit employed in controlling the operation of the machine of the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT CARTON ERECTING STRUCTURE Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a carton handling machine, generally designated 20, which embodies the principles of the instant invention.

Quite briefly, the machine includes a magazine, generally designated 22, for feeding collapsed, articulated blanks 23, of a type commonly referred to as knocked down blanks, a carton erecting station, generally designated 24, for erecting the feed blank into cartons 25, and a carton loading station, generally designated 26, which serves to receive and support the erected cartons beneath a packing arbor 27.

While the machine of the instant invention can be employed quite satisfactorily in erecting various types of carton blanks, the machine 20 has been found particularly useful in erecting open-top cartons of the type best designated by the reference numeral 25 in FIG. 11. In practice, the cartons 25 include a pair of substantially parallel side wall panels and 32, an end panel 34, hereinafter designated a leading end panel in accordance with the cartons established direction of flow through the machine, and a second end panel 36, hereinafter referred to as a trailing end panel as also determined in accordance with the direction of the established flow of cartons through the machine.

As is frequently the case, the side wall panels 30 and 32 are provided with a pair of top major flaps designated 38 and 40, respectively, separated by score lines 42 and 44, about which the flaps are folded with respect to the wall panels 30 and 32.

The leading end panel 34 is provided with a top leading flap 46, interconnected therewith at a score line 48,

while the trailing end panel 36 is provided with a top trailing flap 50, separated therefrom by a score line 52.

The score lines 48 and 52 are similar to the score lines 42 and 45, and permit the flaps 46 and 50 to be folded relative to their associated panels 34 and 36.

Similarly, the wall panels 30 and 32 are provided with major flaps 54 and 56 separated therefrom by score lines 58, only one of which is shown in FIG. 11. In a similar fashion the leading end panel 34 is provided with a bottom leading end flap 60 while the trailing end panel 36 includes a bottom trailing flap 62. As a practical matter, the flaps 60 and 62 are associated with the panels 34 and 36, respectively, at score lines 64, one of which is shown in FIG. 11.

As is common practice in fabricating collapsed blanks, the panels which serve to establish upstanding walls are joined along lines of flexure so that the body of the blank assumes a generally tubular configuration, when expanded. When so configured, the extended flaps are separated by a zone of severance such as the zones designated 68 and 70, FIG. 11. Hence, it is to be understood that each blank 23, when expanded, is caused to assume a rectangular configuration with its flaps being extended in a coplanar relationship with their associated panels. However, when the carton is fully erected, the bottom flaps 54, 56, 60 and 62 are infolded while the top flaps 38, 40, 46 and 50 are outfolded whereby each carton is caused to conform to an open-top carton 25 preparatory to packing.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 8, the blanks 23 are stacked within the magazine 22 in a fully collapsed configuration and are supported on-edge in a manner such that the wall panel 30 of each is presented to the carton erecting station 24 as the stack is advanced for feeding each successive blank from the magazine.

In order to retain the blanks 23 in the magazine 22, there is provided a plurality of laterally extended retention fingers 72. These fingers are supported in a common plane and engage the panels 30 and 36 as well as the extended flaps 38, 54, 50 and 62 for purposes of supporting the blanks against withdrawal from the magazine 22. Each of the fingers 72, however, rotatably is supported by a pair of vertically oriented coplanar support posts 74, supported by a frame 76, and are biased into engagment with the blanks 23 by a tension spring 76. Each tension spring is extended between the distal end of a fixed bracket 78 and one of the fingers 72. Hence, all of the fingers 72 act against the blanks 23 in a yielding manner, whereby the blanks can be extracted as the fingers are forcibly pivoted against the effects of the springs.

In order to achieve an extraction of the blanks 23 from the magazine 22, the machine 20 is provided with a picker head, generally designated 80. This head 80 is supported for rectilinear reciprocation within a plane normally related to the plane of the collapsed blanks 23. Preferably, the head 80 is suspended from a reciprocating unit 82, hereinafter referred to as a truck, supported by a pair of parallel tracks 84. The tracks 84 are formed from right-angle extrusions and are mounted with the lines of intersections of theangularly related faces being upwardly directed.

The truck 82 is coupled to the tracks 84 through a supporting pair of arrays of triangularly related casters 86. The arrays are arranged at opposite sides of the truck with one caster of each being disposed along a first side of the track 84, while the other two casters of the array engage the track at the opposite side thereof, preferably at the uppermost surface.

7 While not shown, it is to be understood that each of the casters can include a grooved peripheral surface having an inside-outside V chamfer such that the casters 86 are particularly suited to be mated with either surface of the right-angle extrusions forming the tracks 84. The head 80, of course, can be suspended from the truck' 82 in any suitable manner, however, a simple bracket 88 welded, or otherwise fixed to the truck, serves quite satisfactorily fo this purpose. The tracks 84 are, of course, suspended in parallelism from the frame of the machine 20. Mounting brackets 90, also welded or otherwise secured to the machine's frame, are employed for providing the required support.

In practice, the tracks 84 are so oriented as to position the picker head 80 in opposition to the panel 30 so that the head 80 operatively is advanced into engagement with this panel for purposes of permitting the head to attach itself to the adjacent blank. While various means currently are available for permitting the head 80 to attach itself to the carton blanks 23, a plurality of coplanar, vacuum cups 92 serve quite satisfactorily for this purpose.

The cups 92 are fixed to the bracket 88 through suitable bracket arms 94 rigidly fixed to the bracket and oppositely extended therefrom. The cups 92, in turn, are coupled to a source of vacuum, designated 95, FIG. 12, through a plurality of vacuum lines 96 of a suitable design. Through these lines, a vacuum is, in operation, established between the surfaces of the cups 92 and the adjacent surfaces of the carton blanks 23 for purposes of causing the blank to become releasably attached to the head 80. As should readily be apparent, as many cups 92 can be employed as is found practical in assuring that a desired operation of the machine is achieved.

Of course, the dimensions of the panels and flaps of the carton blanks tend to dictate a practical number.

' In order to assure that acontinuous positioning of the blanks 23 is achieved for presenting the panels 30 to the picker head 80, as they are advanced within the magazine 22, the magazine 22 also includes a pusher plate 98. The pusher plate is pivotally supported by a traveling support 100 mounted on a support rail 102, FIG. 10.

The pusher plate 98 is coupled with the traveling support 100 through a slotted bracket 104 having pins 106 extended through parallel slots 108 formed within the plate. As a practical matter, the support 100 is pivotally supported by the rail in a manner which accommodates an oscillation thereof in a vertical plane for purposes of affording replenishment. The magazine 22 also includes a pair of endless chains 110 supported by tracks 1 1 l for advancing the plate 98. These chains are driven in any suitable manner and coupled to the plate 98 through brackets 1 12, each having a tapered protrusion mated with suitable openings commonly found within the links of the chains. In order to accommodate blanks of differing widths, the brackets l 12 also are adjustably coupled with the pusher plate 98, through slots 1 l4 and mounting pins 116, whereby carton blanks of various widths can be fed from the magazine 22. In practice, adjustable support rails 117 are provided for centrally supporting the blanks 23. Control over the advance of the plate 98 is achieved through any convenient sensing device, such as a pressure switch, for example. Since such structure is well known, and its use is quite common, a detailed description is omitted. In any event, it is to be understood that the carton blanks 23 continuously are urged in advancement toward the carton erecting station 24, in response to advancement of the pusher plate 98.

As the blanks 23 are withdrawn from the magazine 22, by the picker head 80, each is subjected to an application of forces which urge the blank to assume its expanded tubular configuration. As shown in F IGS. 1 and 3, a vertically oriented retention spike 118 is adjustably suspended from a transverse rail 120 and positioned to engage the internal surface of the flap 40 associated with the wall panels 32 as the blank is supported to be engaged by the picker head 80. Preferably, the spike 118 is so positioned, with respect to each successive blank as to pass through the zone of severance 68 and into, engagement with the flap 40 extended from the panel 32.

Mounted to cooperate with the spike 118, there is a resiliently supported, horizontally oriented arm 122. This arm pivotally is supported by a vertical post 124 and is urged into an operative disposition by means of a spring 126. Since the structure and associated functions of the arm 122 are well known, a detailed description is omitted. However, it is to be understood that as the head 80 is advanced away from the magazine 22, toward its initial position, the spike 118 impedes the advancement of the flap 40 and thus retains the panel 32 within the magazine 22 until the flap is folded about the score line 44 and subsequently withdrawn from beneath the spike. As the head 80 continues its advancement away from the magazine 22, the squaring arm 122 engages the adjacent surface of the panel 36 and applied thereto a force restricting its advancement for thereby urging the blank to assume a rectangular configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The arm 122 also is provided with a distal end portion 128 of an arcuate configuration so disposed as to continuously engage the panel 36 for thus maintaining the blank 23 in its rectangular configuration so long as the blank is supported by the picker head 80.

The picker head 80 is driven in reciprocation by means of a pneumatic actuator 130 of the type illustrated in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the actuator 130 is in an inverted disposition with respect to the disposition illustrated in FIG. 3. The actuator 130 includes a barrel forming a housing 132 coupled between a pair of mutually spaced support brackets 134. In practice,

each of the brackets 134 rotatably supports a sheave 136 pinned thereto through a suitable bearing pin 138. Within the barrel there is a pressure driven reciprocat ing block 140 to which is coupled to th opposite ends of a driving cable 142. The cable 142, in effect, forms a closed loop and is passed about the sheaves 136 so the actuator is of a minimum length for providing a maximum output stroke. The cable 142, in turn, is coupled to the trucle 82 through a convenient bracket 144 fixed to the truck and operatively receiving the cable. Hence, it should be appreciated that as a pressure differential is established across the block 140 the cable 142 is advanced about the sheave 136 for drawing the truck 82 in a given direction along the tracks 84. By reversing the established pressure differential the block 140 is advanced in an opposite direction. Consequently, the head 80 is advanced from its initial position to its extended position and into engagement with the carton blank 23 and then retracted for extracting the thus engaged blank 23 from the magazine 22.

Once the head 80 is retracted to its initial position, the engaged carton blank 23 is supported by the cups 92 in a position such that in-folding of the extended bottom flaps for establishing a bottom closure can be initiated.

The in-folding of the bottom flaps is initiated through an advancement of a bottom trailing flap tucker, generally designated 150. The tucker 150 includes a slaved actuator 152. The actuator 152, in practice, includes a pneumatic cylinder and a reciprocating output shaft supported for coaxial extension. Since actuators of this general type are well known, a detailed description of the actuator here employed is omitted in the interest of brevity. However, it is important to note that the actuator 150 is provided with an inclined tucker plate 154, FIG. 3, supported at the distal end of the actuators output shaft and is positioned to be driven into folding engagement with the flap 62 as the actuator 152 pneumatically is pressurized for extending the output shaft.

The actuator 152 and tucker plate 154 are supported in an operative disposition, relative to the flap 62, by bracket 156 rigidly fixed to the frame of the machine 20. As a practical matter, the actuator 152 is pivotally supported at its heel through a suitable pivot pin 158. At a point near its distal end the actuator is supported by a vertical slot and pin coupling 160 which accommodates a vertical repositioning of the adjacent end of the actuator 152. Such repositioning serves to direct the distal end of the acutator 152 at an appropriate elevation relative to the carton blank 23 as it is supported by the picker head 80. Upon energization of the actuator 152, the plate 154 is advanced into engagement with the bottom trailing flap 62 for forcing this flap to rotate about the score line 64 relative to the trailing end panel 36 for thus breaking"the flap toward an infolded disposition.

In order to complete the in-folding of the bottom flaps and to effect a transfer of the car ton 28 through a carton erection station 24 and to the carton loading station 26 the machine is provided with a carton advancing unit, generally designated 162, which engages the expanded blank and advances it toward the carton loading station 26.

The carton advancing unit 162 includes a horizontally oriented transfer ram 164 of a beam-like configuration supported by a truck l66 supported for reciprocating advancement through a plurality of casters 168 coupled with a pair of parallel tracks 170. The tracks 170 extend through the carton erecting station 24 and terminate at a point located near the carton loading station 26. As a practical matter, the truck 166, casters 168, and the tracks 170 are quite similar in design and function to the truck 82, tracks 84, and casters 86 employed in supporting the picker head. Therefore, a detailed description of the truck 166 is omitted in the interest of brevity. However, it is to be understood that the transfer ram 164 is supported for rectilinear reciprocation by the truck 166 which, in turn, is mounted for reciprocation along the tracks 170 by the casters 168.

The truck 166 also is driven in reciprocation by means of a pneumatic actuator 172 which is quite similar in design and function to the actuator 130. Because of this similarity, a detailed description of the actuator 172 is omitted. However, it is to be understood that the actuator 172 also includes a cable 174 coupled with the car 166 through a coupling block 176.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, it is to be noted that the ram 164 includes a first upstanding foot 178 terminating in a cradle 180 defined by a vertical support plate 182 and a vertically adjustable, horizontal support plate 184. Adjustability is achieved through slotted couplings not designated. The cradle is positioned to engage the trailing end panel 36 of the carton blank 23 as it is supported by the picker head 80, and to be inserted beneath the lowermost end of the trailing end panel 36 and to engage the in-folded bottom trailing flap 62 as the cradle 180 is brought into engagement with the blank 23. As a practical matter, the plate 182 of the cradle 180 includes a relief 187 through which is passed the arm 122 as the cradle is driven in an advancing direction for engaging the carton blank 23 supported by the picker head 80.

Of course, it is important to understand that the vacuum applied through the cups 92 is removed prior to a reception of the blank 23 within the cradle 180 in order to facilitate a handling of the blank.

Near the distal end of the ram 164 there is a second upstanding foot 186, which, in practice, serves to engage the trailing end panel 36 of a packed carton 25 as it is supported at the carton loading station 26 for ejecting it from the machine 20. As is illustrated in FIG. 6, it can be appreciated that the upstanding foot 186 engages the carton 25, at the carton loading station 26, as the first upstanding foot 178 engages a carton blank 23 supported at the picker head 80. Continued advancement of the transfer ram 164, sufficient to remove a packed carton 25 from the carton loading station 26, is sufficient for positioning a fully erected carton 25 at the carton loading station 26. Consequently, it is necessary that the second upstanding foot 186 be afforded an opportunity to pass beneath each carton 25 seated at the carton loading station 26.

This is achieved through a simplified pivotal coupling, best illustrated in FIG. 6, which includes a pivot pin 188 coupling a terminal segment 190 to a base segment 192 in a manner such that the terminal segment 190 and the base segment 192 collectively function as the second upstanding foot 186. A stop shoulder 194 is provided at the lowermost end of the terminal seg ment 190 in a position to be engaged by a cooperating shoulder 196 provided on the upper surface of the base segment 192. Hence, it is to be understood that the terminal segment 190 is afforded only limited oscillation about the pin 188 so as to permit the segment 190 to be horizontally extended to pass beneath a carton 25 supported at the carton loading station 26 and to be vertically extended to engage the trailing end panel 36 of the carton 25 as direction of the travel of the rams 164 is reversed for removing the carton from the carton loading station. As a practical matter, a tension spring 198 is coupled between the segments 190 and 192 and serves to urge the terminal segment 190 to assume its vertical disposition.

Therefore, it is to be understood that subsequent to an activation of the actuator 152, for forcing the tucker plate 154 into engagement with the trailing bottom flap 62, the carton advancing unit 162 is activated by selectively pressurizing the actuator 172 whereupon the cable 174 is tensioned for drawing the truck 166 along the tracks for advancing the ram 164 in a manner such that the cradle engages the trailing end panel vided with obliquely directed end of the carton blank 23 and advances it through the carton erecting station and into th carton loading station as the upstanding foot 186 engages the trailing end panel 36 of the packed carton 25 for removing the carton 25 from the carton loading station 26.

Subsequent to the presentation of a completely erected carton 25 to the carton loading station 26, the actuator 172 is reversely pressurized for reversing the direction of travel of the ram 164 whereupon the second upstanding foot 186 is passed beneath the carton 25, now resting at the carton loading station 26 as the terminal segment 190 pivots about the pivot pin 188, against the bias of the spring 198. The rain 164 thus is permitted to reposition itself at its initial starting position, preparatory to recycling for again advancing a carton blank 23 through thecarton erecting station 24 and removing a filled carton from the carton loading station 26.

As the cartons 25 are advanced from a position immediately adjacent to the picker head 80 they are provided vertical support rendered by a horizontal plate 200 which engages the lower edge surface of the flaps 54, 56 and 60, extending downwardly from the blank 23. Hence, it can be appreciated that once released from the head 80 the expanded blank is supported by the downwardly extended flaps, prior to their being infolded.

As Illustrated in FIG. 1, immediately preceding the carton blank 23 there is a pair of horizontally disposed support rails 202 which receive thereon the expanded carton blank 23 as it is advanced away from the picker head 80. The leading end portion of the rails 202 is provided with a downwardly directed surface 204 which is down-turned to engage the leading flap 60, as the blank 23 is advanced by the cradle 180. Such engagement causes the bottom leading end flap 60 to be folded inwardly as the blank is advanced into a seated relationship with the support rails 202.

As a practical matter, a pair of horizontally spaced lateral support rails 206 are provided for receiving and guiding each carton blank 23 along the support rails 202, as shown in FIG. 1. The support rails 206 are pro- I portions 208 for receiving the carton blank 23 therebetween.

Disposed at opPosite sides of the guide r'ils 202 is a pair of inclined, converging rails 210. The rails are located within the path of the bottom major flaps 54 and 56 and function to inwardly break the bottom major flaps as the carton blank 23 is advanced along the support rails 202. As can readily be appreciated, the support rails 202 serve to engage and maintain the flaps 60 and 62 in their inwardly folded configuration as the carton blank 23 is advanced by the cradle 180 toward the carton loading station 26.-

In order to assure that a proper positioning of the leading top flap 46 is achieved at the carton loading station 26, the machine 20 is provided with a pivotally supported oscillating kicker 212. This kicker is' supported above the path of the carton blank 23 and serves to strike and outwardly fold the top leading flap 46.

The oscillating kicker 212 is best illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes a depending rod 214 terminating in a transverse bar 216. The path followed by the kicker 212 is such that it strikes the trailing surface of the leading top flap as the carton blank 23 is advanced. In practice, the kicker 212 is provided with ab'earing sleeve 218 concentrically coupled with a transverse support rod 220. This rod, in turn, is suitably supported for. accommodating an operative rotationof the bearing sleeve 218. While various means may be employed in mounting the support rod 220, a support bracket 222 functions quite satisfactorily. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the rod 214 is coupled with the sleeve 218 through a suitable pair of stops 224 adjustably positioned along the shaft of the rod 214 for thus positioning the bar 216 at an appropriate elevation relative to the cartons being advanced by the ram 164. Where desired, a spur 226 of an arcuate configuration can be associated with the bar 216 for momentarily restraining the leading flap in an outwardly folded disposition once the bar 216 has advanced therepast.

As should readily be apparent, the rotation of the kicker 212 could be unidirectional, however, for practical reasons, it is prefe red to drive the kicker 212 in an oscillating manner. Therefore, the kicker is provided with the projecting lever arm 228 pivotally coupled with a slaved actuator 230. The actuator 230 is of a design quite similar to the actuator 152. Accordingly, a detailed description is omitted in the interest of brevity. However, it is to be understood that the actuator 230 includes a reciprocating output shaft 232 pinned or otherwise pivotally coupled to the lever arm 228 while the heel of the actuator 230 is pivotally secured to the frame of the machine 20 through a rigid mounting bracket 234. Therefore, it should readily be apparent that as the shaft 232 is reciprocated the kicker 212 is driven in an oscillating fashion for striking and outwardly folding the top leading flap 46.

Also, disposed above the path of a carton blank 23 is an horizontally disposed retainer rail 236 operatively supported, through an adjsutable coupling 238, by the frame of the machine 20. The retainer rail 236 is positioned slightly above the upper ends of the leading and trailing end panels 34 and 36 and includes an upturned surface 240 for engaging the flaps 46 for retaining this flap in its out-folded disposition and to engage the top trailing flap 50 as the carton blank 23 is advanced therebeneath.

Within the path of the upstanding top Major flaps 38 and 40, there is provided a pair of downwardly diverging rails 242. These rails function as stationary plows for engaging the upwardly extended major flaps along their innermost surfaces and for out-folding the flaps into a substantially horizontal disposition. The plows 242 each terminate in an horizontally oriented flap retaining rod 244 which extends through the carton loading station 26'. These rods engage and retain the top major flaps 38 and 40 in an out-folded horizontal disposition as the carton 25 is seated at the container loading station 26.-

Completion of the blank 23 into a fully erected carton 25 is achieved through a pair of upwardly directed bottommajor flap tuckers 250. Each of these tuckers is supported in an inclined disposition and includes slaved actuators 252. The actuators 252 also are quite similar to the actuator 150. Therefore, a detailed description of the actuator 252 is omitted. However, it is to be understood that the actuators are appropriately positioned and supported through a suitable bracket 254 and in a manner such that upon being activated, the tuckers 250 are caused to strike and in-fold the bottom major flaps as the blank 23 is advanced by the cradle 180. Since the blank 23, at this point, is supported by the rails 202, the operation of the bottom flap tuckers 250 achieves an inward folding of the bottom major flaps insufficient to seat the flaps against the inwardly folded flaps 60 and 62. Final folding of the major flaps 54 and 56 is achieved through a pair of inclined converging guide rails 256 which function as stationary plows for engaging the external surfaces of the flaps 54 and 56 and for bringing these flaps inot a seated dispositIon in an overlying and contiguous relationship with the flaps 60 and 62.

As a practical matter, the flaps 54 and 56 can be secured to the flaps 60 and 62 in any practical manner utilizing suitably provided adhesives and the like. However, the structure employed for this purpose forms no part of the invention and, accordingly, its description is omitted.

The plows 256 terminate between a pair of parallel, horizontally oriented conveyor tracks 260 of any convenient design. Preferably, each of the tracks 260 includes a plurality of transverse supporting rollers 262 mounted in a well-known manner for receiving and supporting the thus completed carton 25 in a manner which accommodates its ready removal from the carton loading station 26.

In practice, the lateral support rails 206 are adjustably supported by means of an internally threaded block 264 seated for horizontal displacement along an externally threaded shaft 266. The shaft 266 is extended through the internally threaded block 264 in a manner such that as rotation is imparted to the shaft 266 the block 264 is caused to advance in directions determined by the directions of rotation imparted to the shaft 266. As a practical matter, the shaft 266 is journaled in a pair of mutually spaced bearing blocks 268 mounted on a pair of laterally extended plates 269, which, in turn, are supported by a pair of brackets 270. Accordingly, the distance between the railS 206 can be varied for accommodating cartons having different widths.

The machine 20 is to be employed in presenting fully erected cartons 25 to the loading station 26 with the open tops thereof being disposed in a carton loading plane, the elevation of which is fixed, regardless of the depth of the carton. This plane is defined by a pair of elongated rods 272 disposed immediately above the rails 206. These rods are positioned to engage the surfaces of the panels 30 and 32 of the carton 25 at a point immediately adjacent to the out-folded flaps 38 and 40. Hence, in effect, these rods define a loading plane for the cartons 25 being handled by the machine 20. In practice, each of the rods 272 is supported by the blocks 264 and are laterally displaced as the positions of the support rails 206 are varied due to an advancement of the block 264.

As is hereinbefore discussed, the second upstanding foot 186 of the ram 164 engages each carton 25 as the ram is returned to its initial position. Hence, a natural tendency exists for the foot 186 to remove the carton 25 from the carton loading station during the return of the ram to its initial position. In order to overcome this tendency, a pair of spaced dogs 274 are suspended from the rails 206 and are biased in a manner such as to be engaged and removed by the advancing carton 25 and subsequently extend into the path of the carton 25 in opposition to the panel 36. As a practical matter, the dogs 274 are spring-biased by a spring 276 which permits the dogs 274 to be forced from the path of the cartons and to be seated in engagement with the trailing panel 36 for thereby supporting the carton 25 against reversed movement. Of course, these dogs are adjustably mounted in order to accommodate a longitudinal repositioning of the dogs, relative to the rails 206, whereby cartons of varying lengths may be handled by the machine 20. As a practical matter, each of the dogs is supported in a slidable bracket 278 including manually adjustable locking means 280. Hence, the machine can accommodate a packing of cartons 25 having a variable length. As a practical matter, the terminal segment of the second ustanding foot 186 of the ram 164 can be employed as it strikes the leading panel 34 of the carton 25, in its return stroke, for seating the carton 25 against the operative faces of the dogs 274 for thereby assuring that a proper longitudinal positioning of each of the cartons 25 is achieved as the carton is presented to the carton loading station 26.

In order to facilitate a rapid repositioning of the lateral support rails 206, each of the shafts 266 is pr0- vided with a drive sprocket 282 about which is trained a chain 286 so that the shafts 266, at opposite sides of the machine 20, are coupled together for simultaneous operation. In practice, a pair of shafts 266 can be employed in mounting four blocks 264 in pairs. Where so employed, a single hand wheel 284 is fixed to the shaft so that by manually operating the hand wheel 284, all of the blocks 264 simultaneously are repositioned. In such instances, a single chain 286 is deemed sufficient for driving one of the shafts 266 in response to the advancement of the other shaft. As a practical matter, the pitch of the threads provided along the external surface of the shafts 266 should be compatible with the directions in which the blocks 264 are to be advanced so that the blocks 264 supported at opposite sides of the machine are always advanced in a direction opposite to the direction in which the blocks at the other side of the machine 20 are advanced. This assures that the center line of the machine is not varied during adjustment of the rails 206 employing the hand wheel 284.

In view of the foregoing, it is to be understood that the machine 20 is readily adaptable for use with cartons 25 of varying widths and lengths. Additionally, and quite importantly, it is to be understood that the machine 20 also can be employed handling cartons 25 of different depths, simply by providing structure for accommodating differences in depth, without varying the elevation of the loading plane defined by the pair of rods 272.

Since the machine 20 is employed in feeding cartons of varying dimensions to a common packing machine having its packing arbor 27 at a fixed elevation, it has been found desirable to accommodate vertical adjustment without varying the elevation of the structure employed in manipulating and supporting the top flaps. This is achieved by varying the elevation of the structure employed in providing vertical support for the blanks 23 and the fully erected cartons 25 as they are fed from the magazine 22 and advanced to the carton supporting conveyor 260 at the carton loading station VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT STRUCTURE Turning now to FIG. 7, it can be seen that a support plate 290 is provided as a mounting plate for each of the rails 202 and an aligned plow 256 so that each support rail 202 and its aligned plow 256 are supported along one side of the machine 20 for vertical adjustrail and plow. Each of the plates 290, in turn, is supported in a cantilevered fashion by a pair of transverse beams 292 extended from and fixed to a pair of vertically reciprocable blocks 294. Each of the blocks 294 is provided with an internal helical thread and is threadingly coupled with an externally threaded vertically oriented shaft 296 for formingyin effect, a jackscrew coupling. The elevation of each of the plates 290, along with the associated support rails 202' and plow 256, can be varied simply by driving the shafts 296 in rotation for advancing the blocks along the shafts.

Rotation of the shafts 296 is achieved through a worm and spur gear coupling 298, of known design. As is common practice, the coupling 298 includes a spur gear 300 pinned to the shaft 29 6 and mated with a worm 302 in a manner such that as the worm is driven in rotation, rotation is imparted to the shaft 296 by advancing the spur gear 300 in angular displacement. As a practical matter, a transversely oriented drive shaft 304 is employed in coupling the worm and gear coupling 298, located at opposite sides of the machine 20, so that both couplings can be driven through a common drive shaft.

A drive train including a sprocket 306mounted on the shaft 304 is coupled to a pneumatically operated motor 308 through an endless chain 310 trained about an output sheave 312 fixed to the output shaft of the motor 308. Also provided on the shaft 304 is a pair of sprockets 314. About each sprocket there is trained a drive chain 316. These chains are arranged in parallelcally adjustable block 330 supported by a pair of extern'ally threaded shafts 332. It is noted here that the supporting structure for the magazine is interconnected through displaceable tracks 111 and rails 117. I

Each of the shafts 328 and 332 is provided with a worm and gear coupling 334, similar in design to the worm and gear coupling 298 hereinbefore described. As a practical matter, these shafts 328 are driven through a common input shaft 336 which, in turn, are

'powered by a pneumatic motor 338 operatively coupled thereto. A sprocket and chain coupling 340 of the type hereinbefore described serves quite satisfactorily for this purpose. Of course, it is important to drive the shafts 328 and 332 in unison. Therefore, a chain and sprocket coupling 342 extended between the worm and gear coupling 327, and a shaft 344 and chain 346,

ism and are trained about a pair of laterally spaced sprockets 318 rotatably supported in driving relationship with a pair of laterally spaced worms 302 associated with the other beam 292 of each pair of transverse beams. While a common shaft could be employed in mounting the laterally spaced sprockets 318, a suitably supported stub shaft 320 preferably is employed in mounting each of these sprockets. Consequently, the blocks 294are coupled into a unitary system through the shaft 304 and the chains 316.

In practice, each' of th conveyors 260 also is supported by one of the plates 290 through a slotted bracket 322 pinned to the plate by suitable pins 324, as best illustrated in FIG. 3.

Therefore, it is to be understood that as the motor 308 is activated, each of the worm and gear couplings 298 is activated for driving the shaft 296 in a selected direction for thereby simultaneously reorienting the plates 290 in vertical planes whereby the support rails 202, plows 256 and the conveyors 260 simultaneously are reoriented for supporting cartons 25 of different depths in a manner such that regardless of their depths, the open tops thereof always are presented to the arbor Of course, it is desirable to provide vertically adjustable means for supporting the carton blanks 23 prior to their being received by the support rails 202. Accordingly, the bottom trailing flap tucker 150 and the plate 200 are mounted by a pair of transverse beams 326 suspended in a cantilevered relationship from a pair of blocks 327 adjustably supported on externally threaded shafts 328, FIG. 2, and the supporting frame 75 for the support post 74 within the magazine 22.

Similarly, the supporting structure employed within the magazine22 is, in turn, supported by a transverse beam 329, FIG. 10, terminating at each end in a vertiinterconnecting the worm and gear couplings 334, are employed in driving the shafts in a manner quite similar to that in which the shafts 296 are driven. Therefore, a detailed description is omitted.

in view of the foregoing, it is to be understood that the vertically adjustable supporting structure for the magazine 22 and the carton erecting station 24 preferably are driven through an integrated system. It should, however, be apparent that the blocks and their associated shafts can be interconnected in any practical manner and driven from any suitable power source. If desired, a hand wheel can be employed in lieu of the pneumatic motor 338 for driving the various chain and sprocket couplings. It is to be further understood that due to the adjustability of the support plate 184, the cradle can be vertically reoriented for handling carton blanks of different depth dimensions.

CONTROL CIRCUIT circuit, hereinafter referred to as a fluidic circuit,

which substantially eliminates the various inadequacies .and overcomes the problem commonly encountered in employing electrical circuits for controlling carton handling machines.

As hereinafter employed, the term fluidic relates to the use of pressurized fluid, preferably air, as a medium for delivering command signals to slave units, such as pneumatic actuators. As best illustrated in FIG. 12, the fluidic circuit is imployed in controlling the operation of the source of vacuum 95, the driven actuators 130, 172, 152, 230 and 257. This circuit includes a plurality of tubular conduits 350 extending between the various slave units and a source of compressed air 352. I

In practice, a plurality of pneumatic switches designated S, through S; are coupled within the circuit for imposing a sequence of actuation for the various actuators connected within the circuit. As a practical matter, the circuit includes a filter trap 354 interposed between the source 352 and the circuit. A pressure control unit directly to the slaved units and signal air to a controlconsole 360. In practice, the control console 360 is mounted on the frame of the machine at any appropriate location which affords ready access to the various control circuit switches mounted therein.

lmmediately adjacent to the conSole 360 there is a relay panel 362 within which is located a plurality of circuit relays including a transfer relay, generally designated 364, a picker relay, generally designated 366, and a tucker relay, generally designated 368. These relays, in conjunction with the aforementioned pneumatic switches S, through S,, serve to impose operative control over the slaved units 95, 130, 152, 172, 230 and 257. The circuit relays are of a substantially common design and, in effect, function as piston type selector valves having bi-stable condition states. Since such valves are well known, a detailed description is omitted.

However, it is to be understood that the relays 364 through 368 act to channel a flow of signal air to appropriate conduits, while the pneumatic switches S, through S,, function as operable on-off switches for interrupting the flow of signal air to various slave units in an appropriate sequence. In practice, the console 360 is fed from an input manifold 370 connected with the pressure control unit 356 through a pressure line 371. The console 360 includes a master control switch 372 through which operation of the machine is controlled. This switch is a three-position switch and includes an off" position, an automatic cycling position, and a manual" position. Each position serves to couple the manifold 370 with a given circuit line, which for the sake of simplicity, is not specifically designated. Additionally, a plurality of pneumatic indicators 374 are coupled in the circuit for indicating the operative state of the various circuit lines.

It will be noted that the output of the control switch 376 is coupled with the pneumatic switch S,, which is connected between the master switch 372 and the transfer relay 364 for switching the input thereto. The switch S is interposed between the transfer relay 364 and the picker relay 366 to achieve a switching function therebetween. The switch S,, is interposed between the pressure control unit 356, and thus uses air derived directly from the source 352 as signal air for controlling the actuator 130 of the picker head. This switch also is connected to the set" side of each of the realys 364 through 368 and serves to set" or shift the conductive state of each of the relays to its opposite state. While all of the other switches S, through S,, are normallyclosed switches, the switch S, is a normally-open switch. This switch is interposed between the common air source and the slave unit 95 of the vacuum source. The switch S,, is interposed between the pressure control unit 356 and the tucker relay 368 and serves to switch the input thereto. The switch S,, is interposed between the pressure control unit 356 and the reset" side of the tFcker relay 368 for resetting" this relay at an appropriate instant. The switch S, is interposed between the pressure control unit 356 and the actuator 252 for the bottom major flap tucker while the switch S,, is interposed between the control unit 356 and the actuator 172 employed in driving the transfer ram as well as the reset side of the transfer relay 364.

It will be noted that the transfer relay 364, the picker relay 366, and the tucker relay 368 each is connected with the reset lead connected with the pressure control circuit 356through a reset switch RS. It will also be noted that the switch RS is connected with the slave units l30and 172 employed in driving the picker head and the transfer ram, respectively. Also, it is important to note that the circuit includes a manually operable signal input lead MV which permits the vacuum source to be manually interrupted, the transfer ram 164 to be advanced manually, and thepicker head 80 to be manually advanced for purposes of achieving check out and maintenance. It will also be apparent that the various pneumatic motors hereinbefore mentioned are driven in both counterclockwise and clockwise directions through a plurality of selector valves 380 operatively coupled with the source 352 and through a plurality of push buttons 382.

It is to be understood that the switches S,, S,,, S and S,, are positioned to be actuated by the transfer ram 164, as it is driven in reciprocation, while the switches 2, 3 and 5 are positioned to be actuated by the picker heAd 80 as it is reciprocated.

The sequence of operation of the fluidic circuits is quite simple. However, the switch number, the normal state of the switch, its function and the manner in which it is operated is hereinafter set forth in chart form in order to simplify the description of the circuit.

Switch State NC Switch Seq. No.

l S, opened by transfer ram 164, when seated; switches picker relay 366 to picker-advance position.

opens when picker head 80 is seated in its initial position, delivers signal air through the picker relay 366 to picker actuator for advancing picker head 80. Note: operation transfer relay 364 is blocked due to reset function of switches Rs or S,, for "resetting" relay to its initial position of operation.

opens when picker head 80 is in its extended position: Activates actuator 130 to achieve picker head return, and set operative state of relays 364 through 368.

again opens when picker head 80 is seated, advances transfer ram 164. Note: picker relay 366 now blocked due to set" function of switch S closes when transfer ram advances to remove vacuum from cups 92.

opens when picker head 80 is seated in its initial position, extends actuator 152 for folding top leading and bottom trailing flaps.

opened by passage of transfer ram 164 to retract actuator 152.

opened by passage of transfer ram 164, actuates bottom major flap tucker actuator 252.

actuated by transfer ram 164: Returns transfer ram 164 toward initial position, and Resets" transfer relay to initial position of operation.

Noii

' Indicates Normally-Closed State lndicates Normally-Opened State With the circuit arranged and interconnected in the manner hereinbefore described, the machine 20 is capable of achieving a totally automatic operation. However, if it is desirable to manually operate the various machine components, the machine can be switched to its "manual mode employing the aforementioned circuit coupled with the switch MV.

OPERATION It is believed that in view of the foregoing description, the operation of the device will be readily understood and it will be briefly reviewed at this point.

In order to employ the machine 20 in its intended mode, it is positioned adjacent to a packing machine having a packing arbor 27. Normally, such arbors are supported at a substantially fixed elevation with respect to a carton loading station. A plurality of articulated, collapsed carton blanks 23, of the type illustrated in FIG. 11, are stacked in the magazine 22. The width of the magazine is adjusted by positioning the chain 110 and rails 117 in an appropriate manner. Similarly, the distance between the lateral support rails 206 is set through the use of a hand wheel 284. Thus, the machine is adjusted for handling cartons of a predetermined width. The position of the dogs 274 is established through the use of the locking unit 280 in order appropriately to position each of the cartons at the carton loading station 26. Thus the machine 20 is adjusted for handling cartons of predetermined lengths.

In order to accommodate cartons of a varying depth, the motors 308 and 338 are activated for driving the screws 296, 328 and 332 in an appropriate direction for raising and lowering the plates 290 and 200, as well as the tracks 111 and the rails 117. While in theory it is possible to drive all of the adjusting units from a common power source, it should be apparent that it is preferable not to do so due to the fact that the various carton blanks 23 being erected do not necessarily possess flaps and wall panels having a fixed dimensional relationship. In view of the capability of achieving a rapid adjustment for accommodating cartons of varying dimensions, it should readily be apparent that the machine thus is capable of rapid on-line adjustment. Therefore, a common power source is not required for achieving simultaneous adjustment.

The fluidic control circuit is energized for resetting" the relays 364, 366 and 368 with the picker head 80 and the transfer ram 164 being in their fully seated initial positions. The switch 372 then is switched to automatic whereupon a cycle of operation is initiated. This cycle causes the actuator 130 to advance the picker head to engage the face of a carton blank 23 supported within the magazine 22 and to return therewith to its initial position. As the head 80 is returned, the carton blank 23 is caused to assume an expanded and squared position, due to the effect of the retention spike 118 and the squaring arm 122 acting thereon. Since the transfer ram 164 is in its fully seated position, the normal state of the pneumatic switch S is normally-open, vacuum is applied through the cups 92 to the surface of the blank for grasping and holding the blank in an appropriate disposition. At this instance, the switch S is rendered effective for causing the transfer ram 164 to advance, in response to the pressurization of the actuator 172. This advancement effects the interruption of a vacuum and causes the carton blank to be released for transfer. Simultaneously, the bottom trailing flap is folded inwardly, through a pressurization of the actuator 152 which serves to drive the tucker plate 154 into folding engagement with the flap 62. Hence, the flap 62 positively is infolded in response to the operation of the plate 154.

As the transfer ram 164 is advanced, the first upstanding foot 178 engages the panel 36 for forcing the carton blank 23 into engagement with the arcuate surface 204 of the support rails 202. In a substantial simultaneous relationship with the operation of the bottom flap tuckeractuator 152, the actuator 230 is pressurized for causing the oscillating kicker 212 to advance the kicker bar 216 causing it to strike the upstanding top leading flap 46 forcing this flap to assume an outwardly folded disposition with respect to the panel 34.

As the blank 23 is advanced onto the rails 202, the flaps 38 and 40 are engaged by theplows 242 and outfolded to a lateral disposition while the top trailing flap is engaged by the upturned surface 240 and folded rearwardly to assume a lateral disposition.

Continued advancement of th carton blank positions the major bottom flaps 54 and 56 opposite the actuators 252, whereupon the actuators advance the tuckers 250 into a tucking engagement with the external surfaces of the flaps for thus causing them to be broken inwardly. Of course, as the ram 164, with the expanded carton blank 23 now nestled in the cradle 180, is further advanced, the plows 256 are rendered effective for in-folding the flaps 54 and 56 into a fully closed and super-imposed relationship with respect to the leading and trailing flaps 60 and 62. As the now erected carton 25 approaches the carton loading station, the dogs 274 are engaged by the carton and pivoted out of its path and subsequently released and permitted to Pivot into a position adjacent to the panel 36 for inhibiting reversing travel of the carton.

The direction of travel of the transfer ram 164 is reversed as the switch S is engaged by the ram and thus opened. Upon a reversing of the rams direction of travel, the standing foot 178 is advanced in a reversed direction while the terminal segment of the upstanding foot 186 is caused to engage the previously positioned carton and to pivot about the pivot pin 188, against the bias of the spring 198. This action of the second upstanding foot serves to drag the carton 25 into a fully seated disposition with respect to the dogs 274 as it is passed therebeneath for thus assuring that a proper positioning of the carton 25 is achieved. As the ram 164 again is seated in its fully seated position, the transfer relay 364 is reset and the cycle automatically repeated.

In the repeated cycle, the leading portion of the second upstanding foot 186 engages the panel 36 of the now filled carton 25 at the carton loading station 26, simultaneously with an engagement of a carton blank 23 at thecarton erection station 24. The filled carton is removed from the carton oading station 26 simultaneously with the advancement of the carton blank 23.

In view of the foregoing, it should readily be apparent that the machine which embodies the principles of the instant invention comprises a readily adjustable, fully automatic, high-speed carton handling machine which can rapidly erect and present open-top cartons to the arbors of packaging machines for thus handling cartons of various dimensions with minimal operational losses being experienced because of lost down-time.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the illustrative details disclosed.

- Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A carton handling machine comprising:

A. a carton erecting station including carton erecting means for serially erecting collapsed, articulated carton blanks having a plurality of extended flaps into a plurality of open cartons having leading and trailing end walls, a pair of side walls extending therebetween, and a plurality of inwardly folded bottom flaps and a plurality of outwardly folded top flaps with a contents-receiving opening being defined between the outwardly folded top flaps;

B. a carton loading station including means defining a fixed loading plane and a vertically adjustable carton support means for serially supporting the cartons with the contents-receiving openings thereof being disposed within said loading plane; and

C. carton advancing units operatively associated with said carton erecting means and the loading station for serially advancing cartons to be packed along a predetermined path of advancement extending from the erecting station towards the loading station and for serially advancing packed cartons from the loading station, comprising a pair of vertically adjustable transfer rails for supporting the cartons as they are advanced between the carton erecting station and the carton loading station; and elongated, horizontally oriented transfer beam supported for rectilinear reciprocation between said rails including a first upstanding foot positioned to engage a vertical face of each carton at the carton erecting station, preparatory to advancing the carton therefrom; a second upstanding foot positioned to engage said vertical face of each carton at said carton loading station, preparatory to removing the carton therefrom; a pneumatic actuator operatively coupled with said beam for imparting rectilinear reciprocation thereto, whereby the second upstanding foot is caused to remove a packed carton from said carton loading station concurrently with an advance of a carton from said carton erecting station; rail support operatively supporting each transfer rail independently of the other transfer rail of said pair of transfer rails including a plurality of transversely oriented support beams; a plurality of vertically reciprocable support blocks fixed to said support beams supporting said beams for vertical adjustment relative to said loading plane; means defining a vertically oriented helix extended through each of said blocks; a plurality of vertically oriented rotatable shafts each being extended through one of said support blocks and including an external helix operatively mated with the internal helix of the block through which it is extended; a drive train interconnecting said shafts and adapted to impart simultaneous rotation thereto, whereby said blocks simultaneously are advanced in vertical directions for vertically orienting said rails; and a reversable activatable motor operatively coupled With said plurality of shafts through said drive train for selectively driving said shafts in opposite directions.

2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the drive train includes:

A. an output sheave coupled with said motor;

B. a rotatable drive shaft having a pair of mutually spaced sprockets fixed thereto;

C. an input sheave fixed to said drive shaft;

D. an operatively mated worm and spur gear coupling associated with each of said vertical shafts; E. a chain and sprocket drive unit interconnecting each worm and spur gear coupling with one of said sprockets in a manner such that rotation imparted to said drive shaft simultaneously is transferred to said worm and spur gear coupings, whereby said vertical shafts are driven in rotation for advancing said blocks; and

F. a belt trained about the output sheave and the input sheave for driving said sprockets in response to an actuation of said motor.

3. A carton handling machine for erecting collapsed prescored carton blanks into open-top cartons and presenting the open-top cartons to a carton loading station having a loading plane coinciding with an arbor of a packing machine comprising:

A. an adjustable magazine for supporting an edge and horizontally feeding a plurality of vertically oriented collapsed, prescored carton blanks of a variable dimension, each blank having a plurality of articulate flaps including a top and bottom loading flap, a top and bottom trailing flap, and a top and bottom pair of major flaps;

B. a reciprocating picker supported for movement into engagement with a presented face of each blank fed by said magazine and adapted to releasably attach itself thereto;

C. a pneumatic actuator operatively coupled with said picker for imparting thereto rectilinear reciprocation along a picker path extending toward said magazine whereby each blank attached to the picker and fed by the magazine is extracted therefrom as the picker is reciprocated;

D. means disposed adjacent said picker path for engaging each blank attached to said picker as the blank is extracted from said magazine for squaring the blank'into an expanded configuration;

E. a first pneumatic tucker unit disposed adjacent the picker path for engaging the bottom trailing flap of each of said blanks and to fold said engaged flap inwardly as the face of the blank is attached to the picker;

F. a transfer unit including a pair of vertically adjustable transfer rails, a pneumatic acutator and an elongated beam coupled with the actuator and driven thereby in rectilinear reciprocation along a predetermined path extending between said rails in an orthogonal relationship with respect to the path of said picker, for engaging said inwardly folded flap and the adjacent face of the carton blank and to advance said carton blank along a path of advancement extending along said rails to said loading station from said picker;

G. means including a plurality of driven screws operatively associated with the transfer unit for vertically reorienting said transfer rail;

H. a striker including a pneumatic actuator unit adapted to engage the top leading flap and fold said flap outwardly as the blank is advanced from said picker;

1. means for effecting a release of the face of said carton blank from said picker preparatory to said advancement;

1. means including a plow for inwardly folding the bottom leading flap of each carton toward said inwardly folded flap as the blank is advanced;

K. a second pneumatic tucker unit including a pair of tuckers disposed at opposite sides of the path of said released carton blank for inwardly folding the bottom pair of major flaps of each carton blank into an overlying relationship with respect to said inwardly folded bottom leading and trailing flaps for thus completing an erection of the carton blank into an erected open-top carton;

L. a pair of horizontally opposed plows for engaging and out-folding the top pair of major flaps and for outwardly folding the top trailing flap into a substantially horizontal disposition;

M. vertically adjustable carton support means associated with said carton loading station for supporting the open top of each carton in said carton loading plane;

N. a second foot pivotally mounted on said beam and spring biased into an upstanding disposition for engaging each erected carton at said loading station and for advancing the carton away from the loading station as the carton blank is advanced away from said picker head; and

O. a fluidic control circuit including a network of pneumatically pressurized conduits and associated valves operatively interconnecting said pneumatic actuators and said pneumatic tucker units for controlling the sequence of operations of said picker head, said transfer unit and said first, second and third tucker units.

4. The machine of claim 3 further comprising drive means operatively associated with said support rails and said carton support means including a selectively operable motor, a plurality of worm and spur gear couplings and a chain and sprocket system operatively interconnecting each of said couplings with said motor whereby the couplings are driven in usison by said motor as the motor selectively is operated.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE QERTIFEQ GE 1011 EEJEEQN Pate t 3,753,333 Dated August 21. 1973 Inventor(s) Edward J. Derderien and John P Mcfilashan It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Abstract:

Line 13, delete "dejusta" and insert ---adjusta--- In the Specification:

Col. 1, line 27, delete "permit-S" and insert --permits---.

Col. 4, line 44, delete "76" and insert --75---, and

line 61, delete theangular1y" and insert ---the angularly--.

Col. 9, line 2, delete "th" and insert ---the---, and

line +5, delete "opPosite" and insert --opposite--- and delete "rils" and insert --rails--.

Col. 10, line 34, delete "adj sutable" and insert --adjustable--.

Col. 11, line 8, delete "si'tlon and insert --sition---,

line 36, delete "rails" and insert rails--.

Col. 7 12, line 11, delete "ustanding" and insert --upstanding--.

Col. 13, line 42, delete "th" and insert --the--.

FORM PC4050 ($69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 U 5 GOViRNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: [989 O366-JJ4. 

1. A carton handling machine comprising: A. a carton erecting station including carton erecting means for serially erecting collapsed, articulated carton blanks having a plurality of extended flaps into a plurality of open cartons having leading and trailing end walls, a pair of side walls extending therebetween, and a plurality of inwardly folded bottom flaps and a plurality of outwardly folded top flaps with a contents-receiving opening being defined between the outwardly folded top flaps; B. a carton loading station including means defining a fixed loading plane and a vertically adjustable carton support means for serially supporting the cartons with the contents-receiving openings thereof being disposed within said loading plane; and C. carton advancing units operatively associated with said carton erecting means and the loading station for serially advancing cartons to be packed along a predetermined path of advancement extending from the erecting station towards the loading station and for serially advancing packed cartons from the loading station, comprising a pair of vertically adjustable transfer rails for supporting the cartons as they are advanced between the carton erecting station and the carton loading station; and elongated, horizontally oriented transfer beam supported for rectilinear reciprocation between said rails including a first upstanding foot positioned to engage a vertical face of each carton at the carton erecting station, preparatory to advancing the carton therefrom; a second upstanding foot positioned to engage said vertical face of each carton at said carton loading station, preparatory to removing the carton therefrom; a pneumatic actuator operatively coupled with said beam for imparting rectilinear reciprocation thereto, whereby the second upstanding foot is caused to remove a packed carton from said carton loading station concurrently with an advance of a carton from said carton erecting station; rail support operatively supporting each transfer rail independently of the other transfer rail of said pair of transfer rails including a plurality of transversely oriented support beams; a plurality of vertically reciprocable support blocks fixed to said support beams supporting said beams for vertical adjustment relative to said loading plane; means defining a vertically oriented helix extended through each of said blocks; a plurality of vertically oriented rotatable shafts each being extended through one of said support blocks and including an external helix operatively mated with the internal helix of the block through which it is extended; a drive train interconnecting said shafts and adapted to impart simultaneous rotation thereto, whereby said blocks simultaneously are advanced in vertical directions for vertically orienting said rails; and a reversable activatable motor operatively coupled With said plurality of shafts through said drive train for selectively driving said shafts in opposite directions.
 2. The machine of claim 1 wherein the drive train includes: A. an output sheave coupled with said motor; B. a rotatable drive shaft having a pair of mutually spaced sprockets fixed thereto; C. an input sheave fixed to said drive shaft; D. an operatively mated worm and spur gear coupling associated with each of said vertical shafts; E. a chain and sprocket drive unit interconnecting each worm and spur gear coupling with one of said sprockets in a manner such that rotation imparted to said drive shaft simultaneously is transferred to said worm And spur gear coupings, whereby said vertical shafts are driven in rotation for advancing said blocks; and F. a belt trained about the output sheave and the input sheave for driving said sprockets in response to an actuation of said motor.
 3. A carton handling machine for erecting collapsed prescored carton blanks into open-top cartons and presenting the open-top cartons to a carton loading station having a loading plane coinciding with an arbor of a packing machine comprising: A. an adjustable magazine for supporting an edge and horizontally feeding a plurality of vertically oriented collapsed, prescored carton blanks of a variable dimension, each blank having a plurality of articulate flaps including a top and bottom loading flap, a top and bottom trailing flap, and a top and bottom pair of major flaps; B. a reciprocating picker supported for movement into engagement with a presented face of each blank fed by said magazine and adapted to releasably attach itself thereto; C. a pneumatic actuator operatively coupled with said picker for imparting thereto rectilinear reciprocation along a picker path extending toward said magazine whereby each blank attached to the picker and fed by the magazine is extracted therefrom as the picker is reciprocated; D. means disposed adjacent said picker path for engaging each blank attached to said picker as the blank is extracted from said magazine for squaring the blank into an expanded configuration; E. a first pneumatic tucker unit disposed adjacent the picker path for engaging the bottom trailing flap of each of said blanks and to fold said engaged flap inwardly as the face of the blank is attached to the picker; F. a transfer unit including a pair of vertically adjustable transfer rails, a pneumatic acutator and an elongated beam coupled with the actuator and driven thereby in rectilinear reciprocation along a predetermined path extending between said rails in an orthogonal relationship with respect to the path of said picker, for engaging said inwardly folded flap and the adjacent face of the carton blank and to advance said carton blank along a path of advancement extending along said rails to said loading station from said picker; G. means including a plurality of driven screws operatively associated with the transfer unit for vertically reorienting said transfer rail; H. a striker including a pneumatic actuator unit adapted to engage the top leading flap and fold said flap outwardly as the blank is advanced from said picker; I. means for effecting a release of the face of said carton blank from said picker preparatory to said advancement; J. means including a plow for inwardly folding the bottom leading flap of each carton toward said inwardly folded flap as the blank is advanced; K. a second pneumatic tucker unit including a pair of tuckers disposed at opposite sides of the path of said released carton blank for inwardly folding the bottom pair of major flaps of each carton blank into an overlying relationship with respect to said inwardly folded bottom leading and trailing flaps for thus completing an erection of the carton blank into an erected open-top carton; L. a pair of horizontally opposed plows for engaging and out-folding the top pair of major flaps and for outwardly folding the top trailing flap into a substantially horizontal disposition; M. vertically adjustable carton support means associated with said carton loading station for supporting the open top of each carton in said carton loading plane; N. a second foot pivotally mounted on said beam and spring biased into an upstanding disposition for engaging each erected carton at said loading station and for advancing the carton away from the loading station as the carton blank is advanced away from said picker head; and O. a fluidic control circuit including a network of pneumatically pressurized conduits and associated valves operatively interconnecting said pneumAtic actuators and said pneumatic tucker units for controlling the sequence of operations of said picker head, said transfer unit and said first, second and third tucker units.
 4. The machine of claim 3 further comprising drive means operatively associated with said support rails and said carton support means including a selectively operable motor, a plurality of worm and spur gear couplings and a chain and sprocket system operatively interconnecting each of said couplings with said motor whereby the couplings are driven in usison by said motor as the motor selectively is operated. 